Filling feeler



Aug. 2, 1966 G, cADoRETTE FILLING FEELER Filed July 2v, 1964 Baum? INVENTOR.

A TTORNE Y United States Patent 3,263,709 FILLING FEELER George Cadorette, Hopedale, Mass., assignor `to Draper Corporation, Hopedale, Mass., a corporation of Maine Filed July 27, 1964, Ser. No. 385,207 2 Claims. (Cl. 139-281) This invention relates to an improvement in a loom feeler mechanism and, more particularly, to that portion of said mechanism utilized to detect the presence and absence of filling on bobbins in looms of the fiy shuttle ypIt is a general `,object of the invention to provide a new and improved feeler tip for filling feelers of the side-slipping type.

A further object is to provide a flexible feeler tip which will absorb a portion of the impact forces created during its intended function of `detecting the presence and absence of filling on an operating bobbin.

It is a further object to provide a `feeler tip that is readily slidable on a spent filling bobbin and yet yieldable in a direction to resist the initiation ,of false indication for filling replenishment when there is sufiicient filling remaining for continued weaving on an operating bobbin.

A still further object is to provide a fiexible feeler tip which through its ability to yield when making contact with the filling yarn Ion an operating bobbin, prio` vides a cushioning effect that is less hazardous to the finer grades of filling than the known types of fixed feeler tips.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following more detailed disclosure.

In looms `of the fiy shuttle type wherein said shuttle supports a filling carrying bobbin, it is common practice to utilize a filling feeler mechanism to detect the presence of -filling on the active bobbin and to initiate replenishment of this bobbin upon indication -of exhaustion of the filling supply wound there-on. i

An example of a lling feeler mechanism" which utilizes the side-slipping feature of the feeler element to actuate the -means for bobbin replenishment similar to that of the instant invention is disclosed in United States Patent No, 1,599,806. This type of feeler mechanism is provided with a feeler case suitably mounted yon a loom having a slidable and pivotal spring biased stem member extending outwardly and rearwardly therefrom. The outermost end of the stem member has a feeler tip affixed thereto which in a known manner is directly engaged by the filling supply in an operating shuttle.

Various forms of feeler tips are known and utilized for particular weaving conditions. On occasions the free end -of the stem member itself is formed to serve as a feeler tip such as illustrated in the above-mentioned patent. Other common types of feeler tips are formed from solid blocks of plastic or the like and are fixedly attached, such as by rivets, to the free end `of the stem member. The latter type of feeler tips usually have a configuration which provides line contact with the bobbin with which they are adapted to cooperate, that is to say, the contact surface of the tip is disposed at an angle perpendicular to the axis of the active bobbin.

As is well known in the art -of weaving, contact between the feeler tip and an active bobbin which has sufiicient filling thereon for continued weaving causes the stem member to be pushed forwardly, and as the loom lay moves rearwardly the spring -means within the feeler case forces said stem outwardly to its initial position. During normal loom operation this motion is continuous causing the stem member to reciprocate and the feeler tip to contact the filling package in the same limited area many Patented August 2, 1966` ICC times before exhausting or withdrawing the filling from this particular area.v Repeated Contact between the feeler tip and the same limited area `on a lling package is known to have damaging effects on certain types of filling yarns such as crushing, pinching, and fraying to the extent iof weakening and even the subsequent breakage thereof as it is withdrawn from the bobbin. Y

The improved feeler tip according to the instant invention mitigates these damaging effects to a `filling package by providing atip that is adapted `to yield or flex when contacted by the filling package and yetwill side slip readily to initiate filling replenishment upon contact with a bobbin on which the filling supply has become substantially exhausted.

Applicants feeler tip is formed from fiat and yieldable strip matefial such as spring steelwith `oneend thereof Ibeing -fixedly attached to the free or outer end of the rearwardly extending feeler stem. The form `of the tip is such that it extends generally rearwardly in the form of a hook with the bight portion thereof being the surface adapted to cooperate with the filling bobbin. Contact be tween the filling package and feeler tip causes the latter to flex -or yield Vslightly before forcing the stem member forwardly in the regular manner. This iiexing or yielding of the feeler tip provides a cushioning effect at the time of impact with the filling package thereby providing a les-s :severe feeler action to filling packages subject to the aforementioned conditions.

The invention will be described in detail by reference to specific embodiments thereof one of which is illustrated in the accompanying figures `of drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a portion of a conventional loom shuttle box, shuttle, and filling bobbin with a feeler tip according to the invention and its` associated components shown in filling detecting position; i

FIG. 2 is a view similar to that of FIG. `l but showing the position the feelercomp'onents are caused to assume when the filling package becomes substantially exhausted; and p FIG. 3 is a view in side elevation ofthe feeler mechanism shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. p

Referring now to the drawings, FIGS, land 2 show `only so much of a conventional loom structure as is necessary for a full understanding of the instant invention. Included in the conventional loom structure shown in part is a shuttle box 10 into which a shuttle 11 carrying a Ibobbin 12 is receivable and from which it is picked in a manner well understood by those conversant with the weaving art. The bobbin 12 is provided with a filling package 13 wound thereon (FIG. 1) which yduring the process of weaving is withdrawn from said bobbin until substantially exhausted as depicted by the reserve filling bunch 14 shown in FIG. 2.

A filling feeler mechanism generally indicated by numeral 15 suitably mounted on the loom structure is adapted to cooperate with the 1bobbin and shuttle from which it derives an indication to permit continued weaving when sufficient filling is present on the active bobbin and to initiate replenishment lof the same when said filling is nearly exhausted as :shown in FIG. 2.

This mechanism comprises a casing 16, casing cover 17, and a filling feeler which includes a stem member 18 and a feeler tip 19. The stem member 18 protrudes from casing 16 through an opening 20 and has afiixed to its free end the feeler tip according to the invention which is depicted by numeral 19. The feeler tip is fixedly attached to the outer end of the stern by any suitable means such as rivets 21.

The action of the stem member within the casing is Well known to those familiar with the art and includes the usual coil spring 22 one end of which is attached to a laterally extending portion of the stem as at 23 with the other end 3 thereof being attached to a projection 24 disposed at the rear of the casing itself.

Spring 22 being assembled in the manner illustrated is continually urging the stem member rearwardly to its full feeling position and yet will permit said stem to pivot as shown in FIG. 2 to initiate illing replenishment.

The feeler tip 19 comprising the invention is formed from iiat metallic spring material such as steel and it extends generally rearwardly from the outer end of the stem 18 for a portion `of its length and thence angularly forwardly terminating a hook-like configuration. The hook portion lor bight 25 of the feeler tips configuration is adapted to make contact with the filling package and is so disposed as to make line contact with said package in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the bobbin and to said stem member.

In operation, the presence or absence of illing on the operating bobbin is detected when the feeler tip 19 enters an opening provided in the loom shuttle on the forward movement of the lay (not shown) when the shuttle is in a boxed position. If suflicient filling is present on the bobbin for continued weaving, the feeler tip on initial contact with the iilling package will yield or flex slightly before the stem member is forced to move forwardly to expand coil spring 22. Relatively the spring tension of the feeler tip 19 is less than that of the coil spring 22 and provides said tip with a cushioning .feeler action on the package prior to its forcing the stem forwardly in the conventional manner. Additionally, the hook configuration of the feeler tip is so disposed as to cause it to ilex in a direction to resist sliding movement of the stem when making contact with the lling package thereby avoiding the possibility of false replenishment indications. The retraction of coil spring 22 urges the feeler tip and stern member to their normal extended position as the lay commences to move in a rearward direction.

When the lling yarn becomes depleted to the extent that replenishment is required, the feeler tip when making contact with the bobbin surface will readily slip sideways, as shown in FIG. 2, to the extent where the stem member 18 contacts and actuates a transmitter rod 25. Movement of this transmitter rod in the direction of the indicating arrow 26 in FIGS. 1 and 2 actuates the filling replenishment mechanism.

While one embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, it is to be understood that the inventive concept may be carried out in a number of ways. This invention is, therefore, not to be limited to the precise details described, but is intended to embrace all variations and modifications thereof falling within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. In a loom feeler mechanism having a feeler case with a slidable and pivotal stem member extending outwardly therefrom, a flexible feeler tip of flat metallic spring material having one end thereof affixed to the outer end of said stem, said tip being so disposed as to lform a partial loop extending generally outwardly from said stem with the terminal portion thereof being directed angularly forwardly and generally toward said stem to form a bight portion outwardly of and adjacent said terminal portion, said bight portion being vertically disposed to provide perpendicular line contact with a filling bobbin with which it is adapted to cooperate to detect the presence and absence of iilling yarn thereon.

2. For a loom feeler mechanism having a feeler case with a slidable and pivotal stem member extending therefrom, a exible feeler tip of at metallic spring material and having one end thereof aixed to the outer end of said stem in a manner whereby the width of the spring material extends in a vertical plane, said tip being so disposed as to extend generally outwardly from said stem with the terminal portion thereof being directed angularly forwardly and generally toward said stem to form a bight portion outwardly of and adjacent said terminal portion, said bight portion being vertically disposed to provide perpendicular line contact with a filling bobbin with which it is adapted to cooperate to detect the presence and absence of filling yarn thereon.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,741,186 12/1929 Frechett 139-281 2,049,590 8/1936 Payne 139-287 2,787,292 4/ 1957 Whitley 139-281 3,127,913 4/ 1964 Dunton 139-281 DONALD W. PARKER, Primary Examiner.

H. S. JAUDON, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN A LOOM FEELER MECHANISM HAVING A FEELER CASE WITH A SLIDABLE AND PIVOTAL STEM MEMBER EXTENDING OUTWARDLY THEREFROM, A FLEXIBLE FEELER TIP OF FLAT METALLIC SPRING MATERIAL HAVING ONE END THEREOF AFFIXED TO THE OUTER END OF SAID STEM, SAID TIP BEING SO DISPOSED AS TO FORM A PARTIAL LOOP EXTENDING GENERALLY OUTWARDLY FROM SAID STEM WITH THE TERMINAL PORTION THEREOF BEING DIRECTED ANGULARLY FORWARDLY AND GENERALLY TOWARD SAID STEM TO FORM A BIGHT PORTION OUTWARDLY OF AND ADJACENT SAID TERMINAL PORTION, SAID BIGHT PORTION BEING VERTICALLY DISPOSED TO PROVIDE 